Day 285: October 12: Mold central

While I was away on vacation, the pig-hair carpet at my desk (no kidding, the stuff really is made out of pig hair) decided to grow some mold. Lots and lots of it, between the plastic mat that my chair rolls around on, and the "carpet."
To  my boss's credit, the second I showed it to him, he sprung into action and by the time I was back from my lunch break, someone had cut my carpet out and bleached the area.
Today, however, I have been shunned to the back corner of the newsroom. How long do we think till they let me return?

Day 187: July 6 - Giant pumpkin plant

When I took this picture I was pretty impressed at how massive the giant pumpkin plant at the Register had gotten. Since I'm so late in posting this picture, I can tell you that now, this entire area has been filled with the plant, and that our pumpkin weighs about 90 pounds.

If you want to check out our giant pumpkin project, visit pumpkinnation.com

Day 80: March 21 — Tree of Terror

There's a tree at work that my old boss, Bill, and subsequently all the other employees that were here during his time, called the Tree of Terror. I've seen trees of this species in areas where we've been looking at homes and Peter sees this tree and says "oh, I hate those." Then I asked "Well, wait. do you even know what it looks like when it has leaves?"

"I guess not," he says.

"It's like that tree at work in my parking lot," I replied.

"Oh, never mind then, I just don't like when they have the nubs."

This time of year, the tree of terror looks a little sad, but then it has a million long branches, tons of leaves and then in Fall, it dumps all its leaves into a huge pile. Thankfully, someone on our staff is fabulous and comes around to clean it all up.

I like this tree. It's not scary at all. Some of my best work-talks have been under it, and I'm eagerly awaiting its new leaves.

Day 60: March 1 — Reader feedback

I don't get a LOT of feedback on my column, but when I do, it's a doozy. Pam Reid is notorious for disliking anything I write (and most of the Register staff writes). Below is one of her classic notes that came the other day. Below that is a note that came the next day, and may be the first kind note I've received since starting my column years ago.

Michelle Choat:
Uh-uh! If you are planning on marriage you need to stop thinking it is "cute" and "clever" to be frivolous about spending funny money on things you want but cannot afford. It is called saving over a long period of time until you can spend some of those savings on fun. The little girl, "I want it NOW" mentality does not work in the real world. Dreaming about wealth is for fools. That's why the poor get poorer. They dream without establishing a budget and their greed for money and "things" perpetuates their cycle of looking to the government for handouts.
You are also inundating readers who do not idolize dogs. You, Missy, are not and never can be "mommy" to a 4-legged, poop-dropping, flea infested pet who drools where he drools and poops where he poops and loves you for feeding him. So stop the silly "parent" to a dog nonsense.
Pam Reid.

Dear Michelle -
I always look forward to (and enjoy) your bi-weekly "Gal on the Go." Your article in the January 3, 2011 edition was one of your best!!!
I felt your anticipation and doubts and finally total glee when your "guy" popped the question. I am so happy for you (with you) and wish you so many good wishes.
Sincerely,
a faithful fan,
Doris Duncan
PS, Please say "Hi" to Nona for me. She's another one for whom I have great admiration.

Day 33: February 2-- messy, messy desk

Seriously this desk is out of control. And this is only a tiny part of it. I think I'm ready to strip down all the pictures, throw away all the paperwork and start from scratch.

Day 4: January 4 - Chowder schmowder

I've been craving clam chowder for days. My coworker Jillian and I went on a search-and-destroy mission for it on Sunday night, only to be let down when we couldn't find the kind we wanted anywhere in town.


Today, she texts me and says "Hot clam chowder at Soviet Safeway if your cravings still persists."

I rush to the Safeway by our work (more later on why we call it the Soviet Safeway, I'm sure), get my clam chowder, and I'm psyched.

After taking literally one bite, I bump the container haphazardly, and the result is this....

.... you can imagine how thrilled I am.


Update (3 minutes later): Now, not only did I have to clean up the soup, but there appears to be a new little critter that also must have been craving it. Thanks a lot little bug.